Electric safety switch



April 21, 1925;.

B. E. GETCHELL ELECTRIC SAFETY SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 30 1924 ATTORNEY INVENTOR Patented Apr. 21 W25.

FORATXUN Old GUNN'ECTIOUT.

new and useful Electric Safety Switch, off

which the following is a specification. My invention relates particularly to the operating unit for e quiclrvbreek switch.-

The main obj set is to provide e simple, inexoensive rugged, and reliable construction.

"n the preferred construction the operating handle endconcentricelly mounted latch "mechanism ere-formed of sheet metal stampings suitably seemed together and supported by on'eside of the box or receptacle containing; the-switch mechanism.

Figure 1 is'ei ft'roniz View of one form of switch embodying improvements of my" invention, the cover of the box being. open and the protecting fuses being omitted.

Figure 2 is s transverse sectionalview of the construction one larger scale, the box being shown closed.

Figure 3 is it side View of the switch mounted in the box body and viewed from the right of Figure l.

Figure 4: isa side View of-the operating "nnitriewed from the-leftof Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail view showing the corn nection between the hub of the operating handle and the throwing member.

Figure 6, is an extended perspective View I of the various parts of the handle attached latch, huh, and attached latch mechanism.

The'particular form of switch mechanism is notmate'rial to this present invention but 1 have illustrated one form for convenience in understanding the operation. The stationary switch contacts 1.0 and 11 are shown mounted on an insulating base 12. The insulating cylinder 13 carries one or more switch blades 14 and is pivotally supported in the side brackets 15.

The switch mechanism is mounted within a. box or receptacle having a body 16 and it cover 17, which is conveniently hi ged there to. One side of the box 18 carries the opersting unit and latch mechanism. This side 18 may be formed separate or integral with. the remainder ofthe box as occasion may require. Preferably this side 18 also carries s springotel: 19 edspted to proiect throw 1'. on opening 26 in the cover endedge thereof to hold the cover closed.

The handle 21 is mounted on the outside of the hon and provided with it lost motion connection with. a 'iroiecting; pin which secured to the cylinder 13 that carries the movable switch members. A series of sheet metal Washers or plates, such as 23, er, 9 5, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 is secured to the ill handle 21 by means of two rivets 32 "which extend through. them. The handle is preferably provided with a suitable knob or rin es piece and is also preferably reinforces or s peripheral flange 34 which houses the washers 23 and 24. The washer Q5 serves es s. bearing in an opening in one side of hos: and .is preferably somewhat thiclrer than the Wallet the box so as to allow tree movement. llhe washers 2 1 and s re larger then the washer 25 so that their flanges overlap the edges ofthe opening in the box around the bearing The Washer I 23 merely serves as a. spacer between mere hers 26 and 29 end 30. The washers 5 38 and 31 serve as ahutments or lateral supports tor the member 80.

The latch 35 is pivoted to the side it of the box-and spring pressed toward the latch of plate 26 So its-normally to prevent the op eration elf the latch end attached parts when they; are in the position shown in ig nr'es 1 and 4:. This latch member 35 has it hook 36 which is adapted to interlock with the pin 37when the cover is closed- The side of the box'iis slotted to receive the pin 3's and permit it to engage theinclined shoulder 33 of the latch so as to move thehooir 3 2* into an interlocking engagement with the pin 3? as the cover is closed and disengege the'latch 35 from the member 126. The rod 39 is hinged at it) to the member 30 and is guided in the, bracket 4.1. This rod 39 eas ports a; helical spring; which tends to hold the parts in the positions shown in Figures 1 1, 2, 3. and i, at which time the lower erni viewed in Fig. 4c) of the member 30 presses against the pin 22 andholds it in the bottom oi the slot 43 in the side bracket. 15.

The connection. between the operating handle and the member 30 is el te-c ted through the pins or rivets and the asher 29- which latter has notches 4A, in its opposite sides for the pins 32. The member SOhas arcuate slots as extending through little less than 90. .Vhen it is desired to close the circuit the handle is turned right-handed as viewed from the right of Figures 1 and 2, thus turning the hub together with the pins 3 and swinging the member 30 when tbc lost motion between the pins and the slots is taken up. When the hinge at) of the spring rod 39 passes the center-line between the hub and the support 4:1, the spring 412 throws the member 2-30 away from this engagement with the handle hub and throws the pin and the contact carrier 13 with its blades 14: into the closed circuit position with a snap-action. In case the spring 42 for any reason has become disabled, the switch can be operated nevertheless by continuing the movement of the handle 21. The circuit is closed by moving the handle 2t in the reverse direction so as to disengage the switch blades 14 from the stationary jaws or contacts. 10 and 11 with a snap-action. All the parts will be seen to be very simple to make and assemble, and they have been found to be very rugged and reliable in operation.

I claim:

1. A switch operating .nechanism comprising a plate having a bearing, a bearing washer mounted therein, laterifl supporting washers adjacent said bearing washer, a handle having a flanged edge housing the outer washer, a throwing member having a lost motion connection with said handle, and a throwing spring having one end supported by said plate and connected to said throwing member.

2. A switch operating mechanism comprising a. plate having a bearing opening, a bearing washer mounted therein, a latch plate forming an inner lateral supporting washer adjacent said bearing washer, a bandle having a flanged edge outside of said bearing washer, a throwing member having a lost motion connection With said handle member, and a throwing spring having one end supported by said plate. and unic-ted to said tln'owing member.

3. A switch operating nuwhanisni romprising a side plate having an opcuinn'. a bearing washer mounted therein. a lzzlil'zxl supporting washer on each side nt' said llt.iliug' washer, a handle having; a laugh-ii od r housing the outer washer, a throwing incur her having" a lost. motion comm-lion with said handle member, and a throwing spring connected to said throwing member.

4. A switch operating mechanism comprising a plate, a handle, a hub and latch member formed of sheet metal stan'ipinn's secured to said handle and supported in said side plate, a latch secured to said side plate and (o-acting with said latch member. a throwing member having a lost; motion connection with said handle, and a spring member connected at one end to said plate and at the other end to said throwing member.

A. switch operating unit including a plate. a hub having bearings therein and including a. washer having notches in its opposite sides, pin members fitting in. said notches. and an operating member mounted on said notched washer and having arcuatc slots to allow for movement with respect to said pin members.

6. A switch operating unit including a handle, a hub having a bearing, a washer having notches in its periphery, and pin members fitting in said notches and con necting said handle and said washer, and an operating member mounted on said washer and having arcuate slots to allow for movement with respect to said pins.

7. A switch operating unit including a side plate, a hub havingbearing; washer therein and including; a washer having notches in its periphery, a handle, pin memhers fitting in said notches and connecting said handle and said notciied washer, and an operating" member mounted on said notched washer and having slots to allow for movement with respect to said piritrnem hers.

' BENJAMEN E. GETCHELL. 

